Pliers



Jan. 11,1927; 1 613,929 Y J. A. BURCKHALTER PLIERS Filed April 6. 1926 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES JAMES A. BURCKHALTER, OF BARNWELL, SOUTH CAROLINA. l

PLTERS.

Application filed April 6,

This invention relates to pliers, an object of the invention being to provide pliers which are capable of adjustment to engage a nut, pipe or other device within a reasonable'range, which have improved means for engagement with the handles of the pliers to maintain the jaws of the pliers in anyposition to which they may be adjusted.

A further object is to provide a pair of pliers with an improved ratchet rack bar pivotally connected to one handle of the jaw and adapted to operatively engage the other handle of the jaw and also adapted to be swung flat against the jaw handle and to be maintained in such position as long as desired.

A further object is to provide a pair of pliers with an improved stop on one of the handles, which prevents pinching the fingers between the handles.

A further object is to provide pliers of this character in which the nut engaging faces of the jaw are at an angle to each other when the jaws are closed and are parallel to each other when the jaws are opened.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consist in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing my improved pliers in one operative position' Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the jaws in another position;

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section on the line H of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation, showing another position of the jaws.

My improved pliers comprise handles 1 and 2 connected by a rivet 3 which constitutes a pivot, and is capable of movement in a slot 4 in one of the handles to allow the pliers to be adjusted such as is common in the art. The handles 1 and 2 at their forward ends are provided with jaws 5'and these jaws at their inner portions are curved and serrated as shown at 6, which is also common in the art.

I would call particular attention to the engaging faces 7 of the jaws 5. It will be noted that these engaging faces 7 are at an 1926. serial No. 100,146.

The handle 2' is provided at its extremity on its lnner face with an integral web 8, and a rack bar 9 is pivotally connected to this web 8 by means of a rivet 10. The rack bar 9 constitutes a single piece of heavy sheet metal which is bent upon itself transversely,

with the inner edges toothed or serrated, as shown at 11, constituting a ratchet rack. This rack bar at its bent portion and its pivoted end is cut away or recessed, as shown at 12, so as to provide a bifurcated end straddling the web 8, and the rivet 10 above referred to extends through both furcations of the bar and through the web.

The web 8 is formed in one face with a socket 13 into which an inwardly pressed lug 14: on one member of the bar 9 is adapted to spring and hold the bar against the handle 2, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4:. This rack bar 9 is curved slightly longitudinally to more efiiciently perform the functions intended.

On-the handle 2 I provide a stop or enlargement 15 against which the other handle 1 engages when the pliers are adjusted to the position shown in Figure 2, so as to prevent the possibility of pinching the fingers between the handles of the pliers.

In operation, the handles are moved away from each other so as to open or space the jaws, and the rack bar 9 is moved against the end of handle 1, which is tapered or sharpened as shown'at 16, so that when this handle 1 is moved toward the handle 2 it will ride over the ratchet teeth of rack 9,

in Figures 1 and 2, the stop 15 functions to prevent the handles from moving together to pinch the fingers.

varloussllghtf changes apd alterations might be made in the general form of the parts described Without departing from the invention and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but Consider myself at liberty to make such slight changes and alterations as fairly fall Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pair of pliers, the combination. with a pair of pivotally connected handles, a jaw on one end of each handle, a rack bar pivotally connected to one handle adjacent its extremity and having a serrated ratchettoothed face, the other handle having a sharp end adapted to engage the teeth of the bar, aid bar comprising a strip of metal bent upon itself transversely and having at both of its edges the said teeth.

2. In a pair of pliers, the combination With a pair of pivotally connected handles, a jaw on' one end of each handle, a rack bar pivotally connected to one handle adjacent its extremity and having a curved serrated ratchet-toothed face, the other handle having a sharp end adapted to engage the teeth of the bar, said bar comprising a strip of metal bent upon itself and having at both of its edge the said teeth, and'a Web on one of the handles to which the rack bar is pivotally connected, and said Web and bar having an engaging lag and socket \vl'iei'cby the bar is held against one of the handles when not desired for use.

JAMES A. BURCKl-IALTER. 

